More than 75,000 people attended the third edition of the Cordillera Festival in Bogotá in 2024. According to Páramo Presenta, the organization behind the event, an estimated 8,600 of those attendees were international visitors, and 20,250 were domestic tourists and day trippers.
At Cordillera, Aconcagua, Cotopaxi and Cocuy—names of the stages set up in Simón Bolívar Metropolitan Park—thousands of people vibrated to the rythyms of Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Juan Luis Guerra, Hombres G., Miranda, Vilma Palma e Vampiros, and Sistema Solar, among other national and international artist- This year, September 13 and 14, it promises to continue breaking attendance records with a stellar lineup: Fito Páez, Carlos Vives, Rubén Blades, the Argentine Spanish-language rock group Serú Girán—reuniting after more than 30 years apart—and La Mosca Tsé-Tsé, among many others.
And all those visitors who arrive before or during the fourth edition of the Cordillera Festival, or who stay a few days longer, will have the chance to discover and enjoy all the tourist attractions, events, and entertainment offered by the city that was proclaimed a Creative City of Music by UNESCO thanks to the diversity of its traditional, popular, and urban expressions, as well as its strong academic and avant-garde music movement.
To start the day
A breakfast of beef broth, a tamal santafereño served with chocolate, and other delicacies from traditional Bogotá and Colombian cuisine are among the options available to attendees at breakfast time. You can enjoy them in some of the city's local markets, renowned for their gastronomic offerings. Some of these are La Perseverancia and La Concordia (in the city center) and 12 de Octubre (Carrera 51 # 72-13, in the west).
With enough calories to keep your body going for the two days of the event, you can take a stroll through La Candelaria and visit its most emblematic sites: Bolívar Square with the National Capitol, built between 1848 and 1926 in republican and neoclassical architecture; the Palace of Justice, rebuilt after being left in ruins following the takeover by the M19 guerrilla group in 1985; the Primatial Cathedral and the Líevano Palace, seat of the Mayor's Office, reminiscent of the historic architecture of Madrid or Paris. Savor an exquisite cup of Colombian coffee in one of our many specialty cafés, visit the Botero Museum—which houses the collection donated by the iconic Colombian artist and several works from his private collection, with free admission—and reach the picturesque and bohemian Chorro de Quevedo. And now, head to Simón Bolívar Park because the Cordillera Festival will begin soon.
Nightlife
At the end of the first day, if you still have some energy left, explore one of Bogotá’s more than 11,000 bars and nightclubs, mainly concentrated in areas such as Zona Rosa, Chapinero, Usaquén (north), and La Candelaria (downtown). Here you’ll find venues dedicated to salsa, rock, and a wide variety of genres, many featuring live music. Remember to use safe transportation, which you can easily request from your cell phone, and follow all the recommendations we give you in the Traveler Information section of Visit Bogotá. However, it is worth noting that, after the festival is over, TransMilenio will offer tours to the city's most strategic areas.
If you stay a few days more
If you can extend your trip after attending the Cordillera Festival—we hope you can!— we recommend several plans and excursions, which you can also find on Visit Bogotá. Heading north out of the city, you’ll discover a fascinating route full of history, monumental architecture, nature, culture, and a culinary scene that continues to grow with local identity and flavor. Less than two hours by road from Bogotá, destinations such as Zipaquirá, Nemocón, Tocancipá, Chía, and Cajicá are must-see stops. Known as the “Salt Capital of Colombia,” Zipaquirá is home to one of the country’s most astonishing attractions: the Salt Cathedral. This marvel of engineering and spirituality was carved 180 meters underground in the heart of an old salt mine, and it is considered a true gem of religious tourism worldwide.
Just 30 minutes from Zipaquirá, the municipality of Nemocón is home to a lesser-known but equally charming mine. The Nemocón Salt Mines offer an intimate tour steeped in history, where you can see impressive salt formations, a crystal-clear underground brine mirror, and tools from the old mining industry. The visit includes stories of love, science, and cinema, as the mine was the setting for the film The 33, about the Chilean miners trapped in 2010.
This entire region is also famous for its varied cuisine. Here you will find everything from country grills and rotisseries to signature restaurants and international offerings. The undisputed classic is Andrés Carne de Res, where food, music, extravagance, and celebration combine for a complete sensory experience.
In Cajicá, the atmosphere is more relaxed and family-friendly. It is the ideal place for a country lunch surrounded by gardens, with typical dishes such as ajiaco, sobrebarriga, and homemade desserts. There are also gourmet options, artisan bakeries, and charming cafes.
Walking in a green city
Beyond its urban energy, Bogotá holds a secret that surprises those who look beyond its skyscrapers and bustling avenues: its natural wealth. And here’s a fact that might leave you speechless—70% of Bogotá’s territory is rural land dedicated to environmental conservation. Among the city’s top nature experiences, Quebrada La Vieja (La Vieja Creek) stands out as a true classic. Located at the end of Calle 72 in the Chapinero district, this trail is one of the most popular with both locals and visitors. It begins in the Rosales neighborhood and winds into an Andean Forest that ascends to the La Virgen viewpoint, more than 3,200 meters above sea level. Along the way, the sound of flowing water, the song of birds such as the Southern House Wren, and the dense vegetation make you forget that you’re just minutes away from Bogotá’s financial heart.
Although many arrive by cable car or funicular, few know that hiking up Monserrate is also a way to connect with nature. Beyond the traditional route, there is a network of less-traveled paths—such as the San Francisco–Vicachá Trail—that cross remnants of native forest and allow visitors to see endemic species and enjoy unique viewpoints overlooking the city.
All the tourist offerings at Visit Bogotá
The diverse and robust tourism offerings of the Colombian capital are available at www.visitbogota.co, the promotion portal of the Bogotá Tourism Office (IDT). All the city’s cultural, historical, gastronomic, and nature attractions are featured on this website—available in both desktop and mobile versions—as well as in the free “Visit Bogotá” app.
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